Daily
Reading
Don’t be in a hurry. Slow down. Take the time to think about it. Write out the answers to the questions. Spend some time praying! Make a list of things you want to pray about today and pray through them. This is one of the ways we honestly seek Jesus. Give it your best! See what happens!
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Monday — Matthew 26:36–44
- What do you notice about Jesus’ posture toward the Father in this moment of intense distress?
- What does Jesus’ prayer, “Not as I will, but as you will,” teach you about what dependence on God looks like?
- When you face circumstances you cannot control, what does your own prayer life tend to reveal about whom you are depending on?
Matthew 26:36–44 (NLT)
36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away[fn] unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open.
44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again.
Tuesday — John 17:6–19
- What does Jesus pray for His disciples, and what does that reveal about what matters most to Him?
- What does Jesus mean when He says His followers are “not of the world” but are still sent into the world?
- How might Jesus’ prayer change the way you pray for yourself and for the people God has placed around you?
John 17:6–19 (NLT)
6 “I have revealed you[fn] to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, 8 for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.
9 “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. 10 All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. 11 Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name;[fn] now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. 12 During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me.[fn] I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.
13 “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. 14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
Wednesday — John 17:20–26
- What does Jesus specifically pray for those who would believe through the disciples’ message?
- Why do you think Jesus places such importance on the unity of His followers?
- Who is someone you need to pray for today—not simply that their circumstances would change, but that they would know and experience God?
John 17:20–26 (NLT)
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!
25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”
Thursday — Luke 11:1–13
- What do you learn about prayer from the way Jesus responds when His disciples ask Him to teach them?
- How do Jesus’ illustrations about persistence challenge the way you approach unanswered prayer?
- What is one thing you have stopped praying about because you have become discouraged, distracted, or impatient?
Luke 11:1–13 (NLT)
Teaching about Prayer
1 Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
2 Jesus said, “This is how you should pray:[fn]
“Father, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
3 Give us each day the food we need,[fn]
4 and forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation.[fn]”
5 Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ 8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.[fn]
9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “You fathers—if your children ask[fn] for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 12 Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
Friday — Philippians 4:4–13
- What does Paul tell believers to do when they are anxious, and what does he connect prayer with?
- How is “the peace of God” different from having our circumstances under control?
- What specific concern do you need to bring to God today rather than carrying it by yourself?
Philippians 4:4–13 (NLT)
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.[fn]
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Paul’s Thanks for Their Gifts
10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ,[fn] who gives me strength.
Saturday — Psalm 63:1–11
- What words or phrases reveal David’s desire for God beyond simply wanting God to change his circumstances?
- What does this psalm teach you about seeking God when life is difficult or uncertain?
- If you honestly evaluated your prayer life right now, would you say you primarily seek God’s help, God’s presence, or both? Why?
Psalm 63:1–11 (NLT)
A psalm of David, regarding a time when David was in the wilderness of Judah.
1 O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in your sanctuary
and gazed upon your power and glory.
3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
how I praise you!
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
5 You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
I will praise you with songs of joy.
6 I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night.
7 Because you are my helper,
I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you;
your strong right hand holds me securely.
9 But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin.
They will go down into the depths of the earth.
10 They will die by the sword
and become the food of jackals.
11 But the king will rejoice in God.
All who swear to tell the truth will praise him,
while liars will be silenced.
Sunday — Colossians 4:2–6
- What does Paul mean by “devote yourselves to prayer,” and how is that different from praying only when you need something?
- Why do you think Paul connects prayer with being spiritually alert and thankful?
- What would it look like for prayer to become a normal part of your everyday life this week?
Colossians 4:2–6 (NLT)
An Encouragement for Prayer
2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.
5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive[fn] so that you will have the right response for everyone.
Read Philippians 4:4–9
- What does this passage teach us about the relationship between prayer, anxiety, and the peace of God?
- What does it look like to bring our worries to God with thanksgiving rather than allowing them to control our thoughts?
- According to verses 8–9, what is one specific thing you need to change about what you allow your mind to dwell on?
Philippians 4:4–9 (NLT)
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.[fn]
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Read Matthew 4:1–11
- How did Jesus respond to temptation, and what does His example teach us about the importance of knowing God’s Word?
- What do Satan’s temptations reveal about the ways he tries to distort our understanding of God, ourselves, and what we need?
- What is one lie or temptation you regularly face, and how could God’s Word help you recognize and respond to it?
Matthew 4:1–11 (NLT)
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.
3 During that time the devil[fn] came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[fn]”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect you.
And they will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’[fn]”
7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’[fn]”
8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the LORD your God
and serve only him.’[fn]”
11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
Read Psalm 1:1–6
- How does this psalm contrast the person who delights in God’s instruction with the person who follows the ways of the wicked?
- What does the image of a tree planted beside streams of water teach us about the effects of consistently meditating on God’s Word?
- What voices, influences, or habits are shaping your thinking, and what might you need to change to become more deeply rooted in God’s truth?
Psalm 1:1–6 (NLT)
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the LORD,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
4 But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the LORD watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
Joshua 1:1–9
- Why does God command Joshua to meditate on His instruction day and night, and how is that connected to obedience?
- What does this passage teach us about the relationship between courage, God’s presence, and trusting His Word?
- What is one area of your life where you need to trust God’s direction and put His Word into practice, even when it feels difficult?
Joshua 1:1–9 (NLT)
The LORD’s Charge to Joshua
1 After the death of Moses the LORD’s servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3 I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— 4 from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea[fn] in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Read Psalm 119:9–16
- According to this passage, how can a young person keep their life pure, and what does that teach us about the importance of God’s Word?
- What does it mean to hide God’s Word in your heart, and how might that help you resist sin?
- What is one practical way you can move beyond simply reading Scripture to treasuring it, remembering it, and living it out?
Psalm 119:9–16 (NLT)
Beth
9 How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your word.
10 I have tried hard to find you—
don’t let me wander from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12 I praise you, O LORD;
teach me your decrees.
13 I have recited aloud
all the regulations you have given us.
14 I have rejoiced in your laws
as much as in riches.
15 I will study your commandments
and reflect on your ways.
16 I will delight in your decrees
and not forget your word.
Read Romans 12:1–8
- What does Paul mean when he calls believers to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice, and how does that affect everyday life?
- How does being transformed by the renewing of our minds help us recognize and follow God’s will?
- What is one pattern of thinking or living that God may be calling you to surrender so that your life more fully reflects Jesus?
Romans 12:1–8 (NLT)
A Living Sacrifice to God
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[fn] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[fn] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
3 Because of the privilege and authority[fn] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.[fn] 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.